Where to send a fecal sample to be tested for worms?

[Anna Lee]

Hi,

At a recent lecture on backyard chicken keeping a professor of veterinary medicine suggested sending a flock's fecal sample for worm testing a few times a year. Does anyone know where I could get a list of labs that do this?
Thanks!

 

[Den in Penn]

It doesn't take a large lab to test for worms. Try calling local vets to see if one of them will do it.

 

[Anna Lee]

Haven't had any luck so far, but thanks.

 

[Scoutmedic]

Are there any home test kits for worms or other diseases? I've seen some test kits for MG, but would like some other ones as well. Can't find any local vets for my chickens. Hmm, I might have to check with the local 4H group, too.

 

[dirtbath]

Most vets will do a simple in house "fecal float" test. Keep calling around or just drop by with a sample, shouldn't cost you more than $15 for them to take a peek.

 

[jdywntr]

Try looking for an avian vet or a vet that sees farm animals. Also, if you have a vet for other pets, I'd talk to them. The vet personally or a senior vet tech, not just a receptionist. Call your local extension service office or a university that has a veterinary program. Many of the parasites that would be seen in a chicken's fecal would also be in a dog or cats.

If you do, take samples from several birds and mix them together. That way you have 1 test that is covering a good representation of your flock.

 

[Scoutmedic]

Thanks. I've called several rural vets in the area and none have said that they work with chickens. I can only guess that there isn't a big enough market in my area maybe? I'm not sure. I would just like to periodically test my flock and especially new birds during their quarantine period to ensure they are disease-free prior in integrating them.

 

[Anna Lee]

I finally found a local vet who will send a sample to a lab for me. The county extension people here in Maryland told me they don't do it. It is not cheap though. The vet in question normally is very cheap while providing excellent care so I am assuming whatever lab they use charges a lot.

 

[dretd]

If they have to mail it in youhave the charges for postage, plus its normal for vets to add on to the lab charges to cover their time and paperwork etc. You could see about mailing a sample (on ice)to your nearest vet diagnostic lab (associated with you nearest vet school) and see what they charge and what the protocol for you to send it directly.

Or you could just assume your chickens have parasites and worm them every year to knock the parasite load down a bit.

 

[Anna Lee]

Thanks.